Nope. Still don't own Nightshade.

~Chapter Eleven: Face to Face~

~Calla~

No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't read Ren's face. Efron was beaming at him even as he turned to face my Mistress. His voice was smug as he smiled at her, "Lumine, I'm afraid we may have to push back the date of establishing Haldis. My alpha has to take care of something far more important before he thinks of marriage—especially to your little girl. She is quite a handful as I'm sure you are aware of."

I snarled at the Keeper but Ren shot me a look saying: don't. Part of me wanted to tear his throat out myself for his belief that he had any authority over me but the other part knew he was right. Attacking Efron would get us nowhere. Instead, my eyes focused on Ren. He was so pale and looked much more tired suddenly.

"My mother is still alive?" his voice was so small, fragile. For a moment, I wondered that if I touched him he would shatter into a million pieces.

Efron scoffed, "Well of course she is. Not for long, however. She is with the Searchers." His voice dripped with acid and hatred, "She betrayed us."

Ren flinched. After a long moment of his silence, I spoke up, "Why is she with them?"

"Corrine and a few other Guardians believed they could lead a rebellion against the Keepers. All of them either died or have been hunted down and killed since that horrible, tragic day. Corrine is the last of them and we have reason to believe that she is closer than ever. A patrol reported that they saw her just twenty miles from here." He looked at Ren, "We have reason to believe she is coming for you, Renier."

The Bane swallowed. I could've sworn that I saw his hands shaking before he balled them into fists. He was so tense I wanted to run to him and just hold him. He looked broken, as if every word Efron said was another stab.

"And that is why it must be you to kill her. Let her find you. Let her get close. Then you will take her. She'll never see it coming," he cackled before sneering at Lumine, "I told you it would work; I told you he was ready. You said he was too weak, too soft—Ha!"

Lumine stepped forward to Efron's side, unfazed, her eyes glued on Ren. "He may be strong in battle, Efron, but that means nothing in the face of his mother. I do not fear he cannot defeat her. I fear he cannot take her."

"It's his mother," I squealed, moving between the Keepers and Ren. Ren didn't even try to object he was so still, so quiet. "You can't expect him to kill her!" I wailed.

"Calla," Lumine hissed, "Silence."

"But-"

"Silence." I obeyed, moving out of her way, and she moved her icy gaze to Ren. "If you are to be given such a delicate mission, Young Bane, then I shall give you reason as to not fail it. Should you succeed, you will take full control of the Haldis pack immediately when you return. Marriage or not. You will have the choice of who your Keeper will be. You will be an alpha male with the equality of all others. Even your father, Emile."

My breath caught in my throat. Ren could choose anyone, any Keeper. He could take away Logan's pack inheritance. He could save Nev. But he would own me, my pack. He could force me into marriage. My word would mean nothing.

No, Ren would never kill his mother.

"And if you shall fail the punishment will be nothing less than death. Do you understand, Renier?"

Ren was quiet a long moment. A look of anxiety crossed Efron's face; he moved to Ren's side, wrapping an arm around his shoulders and giving a broad grin. "Of course he'll be able to take of her, Lumine. Why-"

"I want to hear the boy's words, not yours, Efron."

Ren shifted oddly under her heavy gaze, removing Efron's arm. His voice was shaky. "I need time to think…I'm sorry." He moved away towards the trees and shifted, beginning to run.

"Renier!" Efron snapped. "Renier, get back here this instant!"

Ren didn't look back. He didn't stop. But I knew where he was going. I knew who he was going to find.

Ren! Ren, stop! I called out to him. He had to be around here somewhere—his scent was led to this very spot. I raised my nose to the air again. Sandalwood. I followed it another half mile and began to think I'd gone too far. Could Ren really have made it all this way in the few short moments it had taken me to follow?

"Get back!" the rough, familiar voice barked. Listening closer, I heard the low rumble of an all too familiar growl. I ran towards the noise and skidded to a halt at the sight. Ren had Monroe backed up in a corner, Monroe's crossbow snapped in half at the Guardian's feet. His fangs were bared at the Searcher and his ears flattened as he stalked even closer. Monroe's eyes met mine briefly and he pleaded, "Make him stand down, Calla."

I edged closer to the charcoal wolf. Ren. Ren, look at me. Please.

Get out of here, Calla. Ren growled, his eyes never leaving Monroe's. This has nothing to do with you.

Yes it does because it has to do with you and you have to do with me. What you do affects my future, Ren, my packs future. So don't you dare tell me that this has nothing to do with me, Renier, because this has everything to do with me. I moved to stand between him and Monroe. I stood tall. I know why you came here, why you found Monroe. Why do you think he wanted you to come with, Ren?

Ren was very still. He never told me about my own mother. Yet he expects my trust, my cooperation? I'll see his blood before I watch him walk away clean.

He wanted you to meet her, Ren. He wanted you to be able to stay with her. Did that ever cross your mind? I shifted back then and stood before him, my hands limp at my sides. I would not fight him and I knew he couldn't hurt me. He wouldn't.

A long moment passed before the wolf vanished, leaving Ren in its place. His face was a grimace and he looked past me at Monroe. His voice was full of hurt. "Do you know where my mother is?"

Monroe hesitated before slowly nodding once. "So you know about Corrine…"

"Why wouldn't you tell me?" his voice took on an edge of resentment. "She's my mother; don't I have a right to know she still exists?"

Monroe swallowed, "She didn't want you to know. You weren't ready for the truth, Renier."

"Don't tell me what I'm ready to hear!" his canines sharpened and I saw the shadow of his wolf lingering over him. It was pure fury now and I knew where it was headed. "You don't get to give me orders, Searcher. I want the truth. And you're going to tell me."

He shifted and lunged before I had time to react. I was knocked away, my head smacking against the base of a tree, and Ren tackled Monroe to the ground. He sank his teeth into Monroe's arm as the Searcher shielded his face and throat. He didn't fight back. Not once. Not even when Ren began to tear his claws into Monroe's arms and snapped at his face. I forced myself to my feet and froze. Searchers were all around us, their aim on Ren. None fired. The scream died in my throat as I realized what was happening.

~Ren~

I was blinded by rage, by hurt, by loss, by fear, by grief. All that mattered was revenge. That was all I wanted. I wanted someone to blame, someone to tell me it was all okay afterwards. The Searcher barely fought me as I ripped and tore through his flesh. Then, I froze, my chest heaving as a rival growl rang through my already ringing ears. I slowly lifted my gaze to the wolf who stood before me, her face just inches from mine. I recognized her depth-seeking blue eyes almost immediately.

Mom.

Author's Note: Sorry it took so long! My internet went down and I couldn't upload! SORRY! I promise it won't happen again! Anywho, I hope you guys like this chapter. I plan on earning your forgiveness by maybe, possibly, if you wish adding a bit of romance action between Calla and a very emotional Ren in the next chapter ;)

Let me know if you like the idea :)

Once again, more bad news ;( I have to start writing CarsonLuke and I's book again so chapters may come a bit less frequent. Keep reviewing and I'll try to post more often ;) Thanks for reading as always and do please review!